Grader & Undergraduate Assistant (UGA)  FAQ

STEP 1: FAQ

Grader, UGA, and Embedded Tutor Positions 

What are the differences between grader, UGA, and tutor positions with the ECE Department?

These temporary hourly paid positions are offered to qualified ECE students to help support ECE courses, usually assigned one term at a time. Three job types are available:

• Grader (undergraduate and graduate students may apply): 

  • Assist the instructor assessing coursework, including any/all of the following:

    1. Grading homework, lab, or project-related assignments that are submitted by students.

    2. Providing written feedback to students regarding errors and suggestions for corrections.

    3. Compiling scores and comments into a grade sheet or other document for the course instructor.

    4. Posting scores and feedback to Canvas and returning hand-written assignments back to the students as arranged by the instructor.

  • You will NOT be assigned any teaching or tutoring duties that require direct interaction with students.

• Undergraduate Assistant (UGA: undergraduate only):

  • Assist the instructor or TA during an "in-person" lab session as needed, which includes:

    1. Give an overview of lab assignments to students, including setting up lab experiments

    2. Provide troubleshooting and debugging hints

    3. Answer lab-related questions

    4. Keep attendance records 

    5. Show students how to operate lab equipment properly and safely

    6. Perform clean-up after the lab session is over

  • You will NOT be grading lab assignments.

• Embedded Tutor (undergraduate & post-baccalaureate only)

  • This program is overseen by the PSU Learning Center

  • Students who have successfully completed the course in the last two years  are assigned to tutor the course, are paid to attend the course to re-learn the material along with the students they will tutor. This allows them to further master the material and bridge gaps in understanding with greater understanding of what has taken place in the classroom.

  • To learn more and apply, please see Learning Center site: https://www.pdx.edu/student-academic-support-services/tutoring

Requirements - Who Can Apply?

Who is eligible for these appointments?

• Grader:  Any ECE graduate student or ECE undergraduate student (with 2nd-year standing or higher) may apply. 

• UGA:  Any ECE undergraduate student (with 2nd-year standing or higher) may apply. NOTE: Graduate students are NOT eligible for UGA positions.

Note: "2nd-year standing" means you have already completed the ECE 1XX sequence of courses (or their equivalent).

What sort of qualifications do I need?

• Grader:  You must be knowledgeable about the material you are grading, so that you can analyze student solutions and provide them with useful feedback. 

• UGA:  Completion of the course within the last 2 years with a grade of B+ or better. 

• Embedded Tutor: strong grades in 100, 200, and/or 300 level courses and ability to attend the course at the scheduled time. Course list changes each term, but in general, we are hiring for most 100, 200, and 300 level ECE courses.

Your chances of being hired for a course are better if you have taken that class (or its equivalent) before and received a good grade. Your average GPA for engineering coursework you have taken should be at least a "B" or higher. However, it is at the instructor's discretion to set the minimum qualifications.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?

No, you do not. International students are welcome to apply, however, all applicants must be eligible to work in the US, which requires a Social Security Number. Please review information found on the Office of International Student Services: https://www.pdx.edu/international-students/employment

Applications and Hiring Process

How many open positions are there each quarter?

The number depends on the course needs each term.

What is the application and hiring process?

• Students interested in a grader or UGA job must apply within the application cycle.

• ECE staff review applications to ensure applicants meet the stated qualifications (see above), and forward applications to faculty for review and selection as needed.

• Instructors may require an interview to ensure candidates will meet the course needs.

• The instructor and ECE staff will communicate with students once selected. Please be patient, since an instructor may be interviewing and deciding among several good candidates.

• The ECE Department will contact the selected students with employment information, which includes sending you a formal notification letter and instructions for the PSU hiring process.

Notes:

1. You can apply at any time within the current application cycle. Your application remains active and on file until the end of the cycle, so you do not have to re-apply each quarter.

2. If you wish to update your application with new information, you can change your previous response (it was emailed to you when you first submitted).

3. At the start of each new cycle, all old applications are purged. You will have to re-apply if you want to remain in the pool of available candidates.

4. If at any time you wish to remove your name from consideration, send an e-mail to eceinfo@pdx.edu. Your existing application information will be deleted, but you can always re-apply at a later date.

How do I actually apply for a grader or UGA appointment?

The application is done through a Google Form found in the STEP 3: Fill out the Application Form section of this website.

When does the next application cycle begin?

• May 5, 2025

When does the application cycle close?

• March 22, 2026

Requirements: Time Commitments and Expectations 

What is the duration of a grader or UGA appointment?

One academic quarter only:

• Up to 12 weeks for Fall, Winter, or Spring quarter

• Up to 9 weeks for Summer quarter

How many hours am I expected to work each week for the job?

The number of hours you are obligated to work in a single week is decided between you and the instructor. It is flexible, but your total accumulated time for the quarter cannot exceed the amount of paid hours allocated to that job position. In addition, you are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week in all combined PSU jobs, such as grader, tutor, UGA, or another student position on campus.

Being a grader or UGA won't interfere with my classwork or social life, right? Do I need to worry about my performance?

Your appointment is a job, and you are an employee with all of the resulting responsibilities. This means the ECE Department expects you to complete your job duties properly and on time, regardless if you have other academic activities or outside commitments. Failure to perform your job adequately may lead to cancellation of your appointment.

How much will I be paid for my work?

For each monthly pay period, you record on a timesheet the number of hours you worked. The current pay rate is $16.50 per hour.

NOTE: A grader or UGA is not eligible to receive a stipend, a tuition remission, or a fee remission.

When do I have to show up on campus?

You must be present and available at least two business days before the start of the quarter. This time may be used for required training and for staff to process remaining paperwork. Some positions may not require much in-person contact, but UGA positions will require at least 4-6 hours on-site depending on the agreement.

What type of training will I receive?

All new graders and UGAs must undergo training to become familiar with PSU/ECE teaching and privacy policies. This may be in the form of a workshop or an online presentation. For lab assistants, there is an additional training session to cover lab procedures and lab equipment.

STEP 2: Prepare to Apply

The online application form will ask you to answer several questions and submit information about yourself.

1. Decide which specific courses or sequences you are interested in being a grader or UGA for and that also match your qualifications. They can either be in the upcoming quarter or later in the academic year. For your selected courses, you should have either taken them before at PSU or have taken equivalent courses at another institution.

2. OPTIONAL:  If you have a PSU faculty/academic person who is willing to be your character reference, you may provide their e-mail address on the form. An automatic notification e-mail will be sent to that person. Ask your reference for their permission first BEFORE you apply!!!

3. OPTIONAL: If you have a résumé (CV) that you wish the instructor(s) to review, then have a digital copy ready to upload. If desired, you may also upload unofficial transcripts as extra documentation.

   • Want to have your résumé (CV) checked or work on interview skills before you apply? Make an appointment with University Career Center:  https://www.pdx.edu/careers/

STEP 3: Fill out the Application Form

For the 2025-26 academic year (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring):

• Applications open on:  May 5, 2025

• Applications close on:  March 22, 2026

Click the button below to access the online application form.

• You can use the same form to apply for either a  grader or UGA position.

• You will need a Google account (PSU sign-in required)  to access the form.

• If the form is closed, that means applications are currently not being accepted.

So what happens next?

• All valid applications are reviewed shortly before the start of each quarter. If an instructor is interested in your application, you will be contacted to schedule a meeting or interview to discuss your qualifications and the expectations of the job.

• Instructors will inform you no later than one week before the start of the quarter if they wish to hire you. If you agree to accept a position, then you will be contacted by the ECE Department with information on what to do next.

• If you do not receive any notification by one week before the start of the upcoming quarter, then you have not been selected. Do not be discouraged if you are not chosen this time. Your application will be reviewed again throughout the academic year, and you might be a good match for another course at a later date.

• We appreciate your patience while we process applications, and politely request that you not e-mail, call, or visit the ECE Department to ask about your application's status, as this only delays our ability to complete our review and hiring process.

Evaluations and Performance 

How is my performance assessed?

The course instructor can compose a formal written assessment of your overall performance. Typical criteria include: 

1) Demonstrating the required knowledge base for the course
2) Acting in a professional and responsive manner when interacting with students and the instructor
3) Being on time to office hours (if any) and to lab meetings
4) Showing initiative in finding ways to improve course outcomes. 

Assessments are kept on file for future reference.

Can I be fired from my appointment?

ECE student employment is a privilege, not a right. If you do not fulfill your job obligations as a university employee, the ECE Department can terminate your employment.

What if I find an internship or something similar and decide not to finish my appointment?

While the ECE Department cannot stop you from quitting and finding another position elsewhere, it likely means that you will not be hired again for any other teaching support position in your remaining time with the ECE program. Resigning without sufficient notice causes faculty, staff, and students stress - we request that you communicate any changes to your availability as early as possible.

If I successfully finish my appointment, am I guaranteed to get another one?

No, you are not. However, if the person you worked for thought highly of your performance, they might recommend you for another open position.